"Oh right, I didn’t even know that!": Gerwyn Price surprised to hear of final German Darts Championship in Hildesheim

Gerwyn Price admitted he was surprised to learn that Hildesheim will not feature on next year’s European Tour calendar — after cruising to a 6-1 victory to move into the third round of the 2025 German Darts Championship.

The Welshman looked in control throughout his second-round win, dropping just one leg in a composed display that he felt grew stronger as the match went on as he spoke to DartsNews.com at the German Darts Championship. He averaged 100.4 in a superb win for the sixth seed who is one of the top names this weekend with many absent.

“Yeah, I thought it was decent towards the end,” Price said to DartsNews.com. “I started off really slow and, yeah, got myself in front, sort of eased off the gas and kept him in the game, but I’m happy with the way I finished.”

Price faced Germany’s Christian Kist, a player known for his unpredictability, but “The Iceman” admitted he was never distracted by what his opponent might produce.

“I focus on my own game every single time,” he explained. “I’d seen that he was nervous because every time, you know, the nine practice darts, he was having to shake his arm out. So I knew he was probably a little bit nervous, but I always concentrate on my own game anyway, and I did there — and I got through.”

Already a European Tour title winner this season, Price said another trophy this weekend would be the perfect way to round off the campaign and build momentum ahead of the year-ending finals.

“Yeah, it’d be a good boost of confidence going into the finals next weekend,” he said. “And yeah, vital ranking points, which I want to pick up now at the back end of the year. I’ve got practically a free year next year because I was rubbish in 2024, so yeah, I’ll pick up as many points as I can ready for a nice, easy one next year.”

When asked about his next opponent, the world number five admitted he hadn’t even looked at the draw.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t even know who I was playing tomorrow,” he laughed. “That’s the first I’ve known, but Danny’s playing brilliant darts — brilliant in the Grand Prix as well — so it’s going to be a tough game. But like I said, I’m concentrating on my own game.”

But the biggest surprise of the night for Price came off the oche, when told that Hildesheim would not be part of the European Tour circuit next season — news he hadn’t yet heard.

“Oh right, I didn’t even know that!” he said. “It’s always been pretty good here — not always for me — but over the last couple of years it’s been pretty decent. That’s the first I’ve heard of it as well, so yeah, it’s a bit gutting to know we’re not coming back for a European, but there’s plenty more in Germany.”